Are all digital x-ray acquisition software equal?

Medical imaging is one of the fastest-growing areas in healthcare. Any software that can ‘analyze’ data that is obtained from medical images is referred to as medical image analysis software.

Medical imaging software with advanced algorithms can facilitate image acquisition, lesion detection, and interpretation. Radiography software can support and ensure a smooth systematic radiological workflow for practices. The right software enhances and corroborates the work of skilled radiologists, relieves pressure on staff and resources, and provides better outcomes for patients. They are designed to acquire, manipulate, store and distribute Medical Diagnostic Images (DICOM). Some software can usually be integrated into many manufacturers’ Digital Radiography detectors (DR) while others are exclusive to a specific manufacturer’s hardware.

Not all medical software is equal. These are some of the key questions to ask yourself when evaluating commercial radiology software packages:

1. Is the software easy to use and learn?  Can anyone pick up the software and learn the basics of using it quickly? How good are the in-software instructions for new users or those with less radiology experience? Some companies include pictorial instructions and techniques for all exposures and tooltips and guides for their tools.
2. What ongoing support does the company provide to resolve issues? Ownership of software allows some companies to provide better support. Others do not have support staff in the US or require expensive support contracts to answer even basic questions.
3. What features does the software actually include? Does it include image stitching, DICOM modality work-list, procedure code matching, DICOM print, and CD burning or are these offered at an additional cost? Acquiring, storing, retrieving, and sharing medical images can only be done in the DICOM format. If the software does not have these features, it will have difficulty communicating with other companies’ software.
4. Does the radiology software adhere to data protection regulations? You should consider whether any software you purchase supports your legal obligation to data protection and privacy laws.
5. How does the package impact workflow in the department? Is it optimized for Simple and Fast Workflow? With this in mind, you should consider whether it will impact the allocation of resources, including human resources.
6. Is the software interoperable with leading manufacturers’ equipment?  Interoperability is an important consideration, particularly with regard to systems that are already in use.  Most often this is a concern with working with previously installed software such as PACS and EMR systems.
7. Can the IT infrastructure of the radiology department support the package? Or will new hardware need to be purchased? Discussing this with your IT department sooner rather than later is important. Associated costs and time implications need to be taken into consideration.
8. How good a fit is the radiology software within your department? New tech should meet the needs of the department, reduce workloads and relieve time pressures on existing staff members, and ultimately, improve patient outcomes.

The market is flooded with different kinds of medical imaging software for acquiring and viewing DICOM images, but remember not all software is the same. JPI Healthcare Solutions ExamVue Duo meets and exceeds expectations for all of the eight questions above. It is a cutting-edge and user-friendly software with advanced image processing features that streamlines your acquisition and interpretation of your images for improved diagnosis.

If you’d like to find out more JPI Healthcare Solutions ExamVue Duo acquisition software, visit us at https://www.jpihealthcare.com/examvue-duo-medical/ Or contact us at sales@jpihealthcare.com, or at (516) 513-1330 Ext. 3 to speak with an account executive today.